Mark A. Erikson
Mark Erikson’s practice is dedicated to the protection of private property rights from the growing body of regulatory restrictions adopted under the rubric of land use planning and environmental protection. Mr. Erikson advocates a strict construction approach to Constitutional interpretation, and a minimalist approach to legislative government.
Practice Areas
Mark Erikson counsels clients in regulatory compliance, development and title issues related to real estate, land use and environmental law. Mr. Erikson represents clients in private actions, as well as claims against government entities. Mr. Erikson is intimately familiar with procedures under the Subdivision Act, the Growth Management Act, the Regulatory Reform Act, the Land Use Petition Act, and state and federal environmental regulations.
Experience
Prior to founding the law firm of Erikson & Associates, PLLC, Mark Erikson served as Manager of Operations for Equitec Financial Group, Inc., supervising the syndication and management of real estate and venture-capital investment partnerships. Mr. Erikson is experienced in construction and development, and has represented clients in the areas of real estate, land use, and environmental law, with particular emphasis on regulatory compliance, development, contract formation and enforcement, title issues, environmental management, and condemnation.
Cases
- Mr. Erikson participated, amicus curiae, before the United States Supreme Court in Dolan v. City of Tigard, 512 U.S. 374, 114 S.Ct. 2309, 129 L.Ed.2d 304 (1994), which articulated the requirement of “rough proportionality” between regulatory exactions and the impacts of proposed development.
- Mr. Erikson was lead counsel in Burton v. Clark County, 91 Wash.App. 505, 958 P.2d 343 (1998), in which the Washington Court of Appeals applied the Dolan test to invalidate approval conditions that would have required the dedication and construction of a public road mandated under Clark County development regulations.
In the News
- "Supreme Court Snubs 'Road to Nowhere' Case," The Oregonian, March 8, 1999. [PDF]
- "Examiner Rules in Favor of Landowner," The Reflector, January 3, 1996. [PDF]
- "County Loses 'Takings' Case," The Columbian, November 12, 1995. [PDF]
- "Growth Management Seen as 'Silent Encroachment'," Guest Columnist, The Reflector, August 31, 1994. [PDF]
Licenses
Mark Erikson is licensed to practice before the following courts:
- All courts of the State of Washington;
- All courts of the State of Oregon;
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington;
- United States District Court for the District of Oregon;
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit,and
- United States Supreme Court.
Education
- Juris Doctor, Lewis & Clark/Northwestern School of Law, 1981
- Bachelor of Arts, Lewis & Clark College - Cum Laude Honors, 1978